Published October 31, 2011 by Candy Evans

Dear Candy,

I am experiencing some big real estate drama. Here is the deal: my husband and I are looking to buy a house in the $450-$550K range. But if I see any more interior columns, big medallion tiles, hand “troweled” walls or dark purple paint, I may vomit. We have been looking in Colleyville and Grapevine. (That may be our first problem, and we are willing to be convinced otherwise…we work out of our home.) My husband purchased a home in Grapevine before we were married, and we have been living here for 2 years. We travel a ton for work, so we have to admit that living near the airport is nice.

I see some great architecture in Dallas. But is Dallas where the good style in DFW starts and ends?

If we want a pool, plenty of sf for home offices and a big lot, do we have to sell our souls to the Tuscan/Venetian devils?

We love your blog—do you have any thoughts for us?

-ML

Dear ML: Boy, where do I begin? I think you can find good, lean style in parts of Colleyville and Southlake, but they are few are far between. Why don’t builders cut the trowel wall crap and leave the Old World to Count Dracula? I would think clean lined bulding might even be more cost-effective. Maybe our wonderful readers can help suggest better homes or locations. ML tells me she loves ”both traditional (think: Home Alone house) and mid-century modern (think: the Brangelina W Magazine feature) architecture.”

It’s the “castle-like” homes around here that really throw us for a loop!I mean seriously…a turret? As for interior….I love white. Clean and crisp. Elle Decor is my favorite magazine.Not a big fan of granite, you know what I’m saying?

Granite is great when you use something other than boring brown earth tones. Agents and sellers, let’s go house hunting for ML!